1
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Paniccia JE, Vollmer KM, Green LM, Grant RI, Winston KT, Buchmaier S, Westphal AM, Clarke RE, Doncheck EM, Bordieanu B, Manusky LM, Martino MR, Ward AL, Rinker JA, McGinty JF, Scofield MD, Otis JM. Restoration of a paraventricular thalamo-accumbal behavioral suppression circuit prevents reinstatement of heroin seeking. Neuron 2024; 112:772-785.e9. [PMID: 38141605 PMCID: PMC10939883 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.11.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/25/2023]
Abstract
Lack of behavioral suppression typifies substance use disorders, yet the neural circuit underpinnings of drug-induced behavioral disinhibition remain unclear. Here, we employ deep-brain two-photon calcium imaging in heroin self-administering mice, longitudinally tracking adaptations within a paraventricular thalamus to nucleus accumbens behavioral inhibition circuit from the onset of heroin use to reinstatement. We find that select thalamo-accumbal neuronal ensembles become profoundly hypoactive across the development of heroin seeking and use. Electrophysiological experiments further reveal persistent adaptations at thalamo-accumbal parvalbumin interneuronal synapses, whereas functional rescue of these synapses prevents multiple triggers from initiating reinstatement of heroin seeking. Finally, we find an enrichment of μ-opioid receptors in output- and cell-type-specific paraventricular thalamic neurons, which provide a mechanism for heroin-induced synaptic plasticity and behavioral disinhibition. These findings reveal key circuit adaptations that underlie behavioral disinhibition in opioid dependence and further suggest that recovery of this system would reduce relapse susceptibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline E Paniccia
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; Department of Anesthesia & Perioperative Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Kelsey M Vollmer
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Lisa M Green
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Roger I Grant
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Kion T Winston
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Sophie Buchmaier
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Annaka M Westphal
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; Department of Anesthesia & Perioperative Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Rachel E Clarke
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; Department of Anesthesia & Perioperative Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Elizabeth M Doncheck
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Bogdan Bordieanu
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Logan M Manusky
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Michael R Martino
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Amy L Ward
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Jennifer A Rinker
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Jacqueline F McGinty
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Michael D Scofield
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; Department of Anesthesia & Perioperative Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - James M Otis
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA; Ralph Johnson Veterans Administration, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.
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2
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Vollmer KM, Green LM, Grant RI, Winston KT, Doncheck EM, Bowen CW, Paniccia JE, Clarke RE, Tiller A, Siegler PN, Bordieanu B, Siemsen BM, Denton AR, Westphal AM, Jhou TC, Rinker JA, McGinty JF, Scofield MD, Otis JM. Author Correction: An opioid-gated thalamoaccumbal circuit for the suppression of reward seeking in mice. Nat Commun 2023; 14:4733. [PMID: 37550296 PMCID: PMC10406923 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40431-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/09/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey M Vollmer
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Lisa M Green
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Roger I Grant
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Kion T Winston
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Elizabeth M Doncheck
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Christopher W Bowen
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Jacqueline E Paniccia
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
- Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Rachel E Clarke
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
- Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Annika Tiller
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Preston N Siegler
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Bogdan Bordieanu
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Benjamin M Siemsen
- Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Adam R Denton
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
- Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Annaka M Westphal
- Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Thomas C Jhou
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Jennifer A Rinker
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Jacqueline F McGinty
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Michael D Scofield
- Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - James M Otis
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA.
- Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA.
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3
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Kokane SS, Cole RD, Bordieanu B, Ray CM, Haque IA, Otis JM, McGinty JF. Increased Excitability and Synaptic Plasticity of Drd1- and Drd2-Expressing Prelimbic Neurons Projecting to Nucleus Accumbens after Heroin Abstinence Are Reversed by Cue-Induced Relapse and Protein Kinase A Inhibition. J Neurosci 2023; 43:4019-4032. [PMID: 37094933 PMCID: PMC10255008 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0108-23.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Dysregulation of the input from the prefrontal cortex (PFC) to the nucleus accumbens (NAc) contributes to cue-induced opioid seeking but the heterogeneity in, and regulation of, prelimbic (PL)-PFC to NAc (PL->NAc) neurons that are altered has not been comprehensively explored. Recently, baseline and opiate withdrawal-induced differences in intrinsic excitability of Drd1+ (D1+) versus Drd2+ (D2+) PFC neurons have been demonstrated. Thus, here we investigated physiological adaptations of PL->NAc D1+ versus D2+ neurons after heroin abstinence and cue-induced relapse. Drd1-Cre+ and Drd2-Cre+ transgenic male Long-Evans rats with virally labeled PL->NAc neurons were trained to self-administer heroin followed by 1 week of forced abstinence. Heroin abstinence significantly increased intrinsic excitability in D1+ and D2+ PL->NAc neurons and increased postsynaptic strength selectively in D1+ neurons. These changes were normalized by cue-induced relapse to heroin seeking. Based on protein kinase A (PKA)-dependent changes in the phosphorylation of plasticity-related proteins in the PL cortex during abstinence and cue-induced relapse to cocaine seeking, we assessed whether the electrophysiological changes in D1+ and D2+ PL->NAc neurons during heroin abstinence were regulated by PKA. In heroin-abstinent PL slices, application of the PKA antagonist (R)-adenosine, cyclic 3',5'-(hydrogenphosphorothioate) triethylammonium (RP-cAMPs) reversed intrinsic excitability in both D1+ and D2+ neurons and postsynaptic strength in only D1+ neurons. Additionally, in vivo bilateral intra-PL infusion of RP-cAMPs after abstinence from heroin inhibited cue-induced relapse to heroin seeking. These data reveal that PKA activity in D1+ and D2+ PL->NAc neurons is not only required for abstinence-induced physiological adaptations but is also required for cue-induced relapse to heroin seeking.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Neuronal plasticity in the medial prefrontal cortex is thought to underlie relapse to drug seeking, yet the subpopulation of neurons that express this plasticity to functionally guide relapse is unclear. Here we show cell type-specific adaptations in Drd1-expressing versus Drd2-expressing prelimbic pyramidal neurons with efferent projections to nucleus accumbens. These adaptations are bidirectionally regulated during abstinence versus relapse and involve protein kinase A (PKA) activation. Furthermore, we show that disruption of the abstinence-associated adaptations via site-specific PKA inhibition abolishes relapse. These data reveal the promising therapeutic potential of PKA inhibition for preventing relapse to heroin seeking and suggest that cell type-specific pharmacologies that target subpopulations of prefrontal neurons would be ideal for future therapeutic developments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saurabh S Kokane
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425
| | - Robert D Cole
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425
| | - Bogdan Bordieanu
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425
| | - Chevin M Ray
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425
| | - Ishraq A Haque
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425
| | - James M Otis
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425
| | - Jacqueline F McGinty
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina 29425
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4
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Vollmer KM, Green LM, Grant RI, Winston KT, Doncheck EM, Bowen CW, Paniccia JE, Clarke RE, Tiller A, Siegler PN, Bordieanu B, Siemsen BM, Denton AR, Westphal AM, Jhou TC, Rinker JA, McGinty JF, Scofield MD, Otis JM. An opioid-gated thalamoaccumbal circuit for the suppression of reward seeking in mice. Nat Commun 2022; 13:6865. [PMID: 36369508 PMCID: PMC9652456 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34517-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Suppression of dangerous or inappropriate reward-motivated behaviors is critical for survival, whereas therapeutic or recreational opioid use can unleash detrimental behavioral actions and addiction. Nevertheless, the neuronal systems that suppress maladaptive motivated behaviors remain unclear, and whether opioids disengage those systems is unknown. In a mouse model using two-photon calcium imaging in vivo, we identify paraventricular thalamostriatal neuronal ensembles that are inhibited upon sucrose self-administration and seeking, yet these neurons are tonically active when behavior is suppressed by a fear-provoking predator odor, a pharmacological stressor, or inhibitory learning. Electrophysiological, optogenetic, and chemogenetic experiments reveal that thalamostriatal neurons innervate accumbal parvalbumin interneurons through synapses enriched with calcium permeable AMPA receptors, and activity within this circuit is necessary and sufficient for the suppression of sucrose seeking regardless of the behavioral suppressor administered. Furthermore, systemic or intra-accumbal opioid injections rapidly dysregulate thalamostriatal ensemble dynamics, weaken thalamostriatal synaptic innervation of downstream neurons, and unleash reward-seeking behaviors in a manner that is reversed by genetic deletion of thalamic µ-opioid receptors. Overall, our findings reveal a thalamostriatal to parvalbumin interneuron circuit that is both required for the suppression of reward seeking and rapidly disengaged by opioids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey M Vollmer
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Lisa M Green
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Roger I Grant
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Kion T Winston
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Elizabeth M Doncheck
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Christopher W Bowen
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Jacqueline E Paniccia
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
- Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Rachel E Clarke
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
- Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Annika Tiller
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Preston N Siegler
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Bogdan Bordieanu
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Benjamin M Siemsen
- Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Adam R Denton
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
- Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Annaka M Westphal
- Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Thomas C Jhou
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Jennifer A Rinker
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Jacqueline F McGinty
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - Michael D Scofield
- Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA
| | - James M Otis
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA.
- Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, 29425, USA.
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5
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Siemsen BM, Barry SM, Vollmer KM, Green LM, Brock AG, Westphal AM, King RA, DeVries DM, Otis JM, Cowan CW, Scofield MD. A Subset of Nucleus Accumbens Neurons Receiving Dense and Functional Prelimbic Cortical Input Are Required for Cocaine Seeking. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:844243. [PMID: 35281297 PMCID: PMC8907444 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.844243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Prelimbic cortical projections to the nucleus accumbens core are critical for cue-induced cocaine seeking, but the identity of the accumbens neuron(s) targeted by this projection, and the transient neuroadaptations contributing to relapse within these cells, remain unknown. Methods Male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent cocaine or sucrose self-administration, extinction, and cue-induced reinstatement. Pathway-specific chemogenetics, patch-clamp electrophysiology, in vivo electrochemistry, and high-resolution confocal microscopy were used to identify and characterize a small population of nucleus accumbens core neurons that receive dense prelimbic cortical input to determine their role in regulating cue-induced cocaine and natural reward seeking. Results Chemogenetic inhibition of prelimbic cortical projections to the nucleus accumbens core suppressed cue-induced cocaine relapse and normalized real-time cue-evoked increases in accumbens glutamate release to that of sucrose seeking animals. Furthermore, chemogenetic inhibition of the population of nucleus accumbens core neurons receiving the densest prelimbic cortical input suppressed cocaine, but not sucrose seeking. These neurons also underwent morphological plasticity during the peak of cocaine seeking in the form of dendritic spine expansion and increased ensheathment by astroglial processes at large spines. Conclusion We identified and characterized a unique subpopulation of nucleus accumbens neurons that receive dense prelimbic cortical input. The functional specificity of this subpopulation is underscored by their ability to mediate cue-induced cocaine relapse, but not sucrose seeking. This subset of cells represents a novel target for addiction therapeutics revealed by anterograde targeting to interrogate functional circuits imbedded within a known network.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin M. Siemsen
- Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Sarah M. Barry
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Kelsey M. Vollmer
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Lisa M. Green
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Ashley G. Brock
- Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Annaka M. Westphal
- Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Raven A. King
- Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Derek M. DeVries
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - James M. Otis
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Christopher W. Cowan
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Michael D. Scofield
- Department of Anesthesia and Perioperative Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
- *Correspondence: Michael D. Scofield,
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6
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Vollmer KM, Doncheck EM, Grant RI, Winston KT, Romanova EV, Bowen CW, Siegler PN, Green LM, Bobadilla AC, Trujillo-Pisanty I, Kalivas PW, Otis JM. A Novel Assay Allowing Drug Self-Administration, Extinction, and Reinstatement Testing in Head-Restrained Mice. Front Behav Neurosci 2021; 15:744715. [PMID: 34776891 PMCID: PMC8585999 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2021.744715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiphoton microscopy is one of several new technologies providing unprecedented insight into the activity dynamics and function of neural circuits. Unfortunately, some of these technologies require experimentation in head-restrained animals, limiting the behavioral repertoire that can be integrated and studied. This issue is especially evident in drug addiction research, as no laboratories have coupled multiphoton microscopy with simultaneous intravenous drug self-administration, a behavioral paradigm that has predictive validity for treatment outcomes and abuse liability. Here, we describe a new experimental assay wherein head-restrained mice will press an active lever, but not inactive lever, for intravenous delivery of heroin or cocaine. Similar to freely moving animals, we find that lever pressing is suppressed through daily extinction training and subsequently reinstated through the presentation of relapse-provoking triggers (drug-associative cues, the drug itself, and stressors). Finally, we show that head-restrained mice will show similar patterns of behavior for oral delivery of a sucrose reward, a common control used for drug self-administration experiments. Overall, these data demonstrate the feasibility of combining drug self-administration experiments with technologies that require head-restraint, such as multiphoton imaging. The assay described could be replicated by interested labs with readily available materials to aid in identifying the neural underpinnings of substance use disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey M Vollmer
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Elizabeth M Doncheck
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Roger I Grant
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Kion T Winston
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Elizaveta V Romanova
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Christopher W Bowen
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Preston N Siegler
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - Lisa M Green
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | | | | | - Peter W Kalivas
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
| | - James M Otis
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States.,Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
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7
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Grant RI, Doncheck EM, Vollmer KM, Winston KT, Romanova EV, Siegler PN, Holman H, Bowen CW, Otis JM. Specialized coding patterns among dorsomedial prefrontal neuronal ensembles predict conditioned reward seeking. eLife 2021; 10:65764. [PMID: 34184635 PMCID: PMC8277349 DOI: 10.7554/elife.65764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Non-overlapping cell populations within dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC), defined by gene expression or projection target, control dissociable aspects of reward seeking through unique activity patterns. However, even within these defined cell populations, considerable cell-to-cell variability is found, suggesting that greater resolution is needed to understand information processing in dmPFC. Here, we use two-photon calcium imaging in awake, behaving mice to monitor the activity of dmPFC excitatory neurons throughout Pavlovian reward conditioning. We characterize five unique neuronal ensembles that each encodes specialized information related to a sucrose reward, reward-predictive cues, and behavioral responses to those cues. The ensembles differentially emerge across daily training sessions – and stabilize after learning – in a manner that improves the predictive validity of dmPFC activity dynamics for deciphering variables related to behavioral conditioning. Our results characterize the complex dmPFC neuronal ensemble dynamics that stably predict reward availability and initiation of conditioned reward seeking following cue-reward learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger I Grant
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, United States
| | - Elizabeth M Doncheck
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, United States
| | - Kelsey M Vollmer
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, United States
| | - Kion T Winston
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, United States
| | - Elizaveta V Romanova
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, United States
| | - Preston N Siegler
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, United States
| | - Heather Holman
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, United States
| | - Christopher W Bowen
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, United States
| | - James M Otis
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, United States.,Hollings Cancer Center, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, United States
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8
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Rodriguez-Romaguera J, Ung RL, Nomura H, Otis JM, Basiri ML, Namboodiri VM, Zhu X, Robinson JE, van den Munkhof HE, McHenry JA, Eckman LE, Kosyk O, Jhou TC, Kash TL, Bruchas MR, Stuber GD. Prepronociceptin-Expressing Neurons in the Extended Amygdala Encode and Promote Rapid Arousal Responses to Motivationally Salient Stimuli. Cell Rep 2020; 33:108362. [PMID: 33176134 PMCID: PMC8136285 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.108362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Revised: 08/18/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Motivational states consist of cognitive, emotional, and physiological components controlled by multiple brain regions. An integral component of this neural circuitry is the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST). Here, we identify that neurons within BNST that express the gene prepronociceptin (PnocBNST) modulate rapid changes in physiological arousal that occur upon exposure to motivationally salient stimuli. Using in vivo two-photon calcium imaging, we find that PnocBNST neuronal responses directly correspond with rapid increases in pupillary size when mice are exposed to aversive and rewarding odors. Furthermore, optogenetic activation of these neurons increases pupillary size and anxiety-like behaviors but does not induce approach, avoidance, or locomotion. These findings suggest that excitatory responses in PnocBNST neurons encode rapid arousal responses that modulate anxiety states. Further histological, electrophysiological, and single-cell RNA sequencing data reveal that PnocBNST neurons are composed of genetically and anatomically identifiable subpopulations that may differentially tune rapid arousal responses to motivational stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jose Rodriguez-Romaguera
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 72599, USA,Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 72599, USA
| | - Randall L. Ung
- Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 72599, USA,Neuroscience Curriculum, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 72599, USA
| | - Hiroshi Nomura
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 72599, USA,Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 72599, USA
| | - James M. Otis
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 72599, USA,Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 72599, USA
| | - Marcus L. Basiri
- Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 72599, USA,Neuroscience Curriculum, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 72599, USA
| | - Vijay M.K. Namboodiri
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 72599, USA,Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 72599, USA
| | - Xueqi Zhu
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 72599, USA,Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 72599, USA
| | - J. Elliott Robinson
- Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 72599, USA,Neuroscience Curriculum, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 72599, USA
| | - Hanna E. van den Munkhof
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 72599, USA,Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 72599, USA
| | - Jenna A. McHenry
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 72599, USA,Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 72599, USA
| | - Louisa E.H. Eckman
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 72599, USA,Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 72599, USA
| | - Oksana Kosyk
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 72599, USA,Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 72599, USA
| | - Thomas C. Jhou
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
| | - Thomas L. Kash
- Neuroscience Curriculum, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 72599, USA,Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 72599, USA
| | - Michael R. Bruchas
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University Pain Center, Department of Neuroscience, Division of Biology & Biomedical Sciences; and Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - Garret D. Stuber
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 72599, USA,Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 72599, USA,Neuroscience Curriculum, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 72599, USA,Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 72599, USA,Correspondence:
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9
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McGinty JF, Otis JM. Heterogeneity in the Paraventricular Thalamus: The Traffic Light of Motivated Behaviors. Front Behav Neurosci 2020; 14:590528. [PMID: 33177999 PMCID: PMC7596164 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2020.590528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The paraventricular thalamic nucleus (PVT) is highly interconnected with brain areas that control reward-seeking behavior. Despite this known connectivity, broad manipulations of PVT often lead to mixed, and even opposing, behavioral effects, clouding our understanding of how PVT precisely contributes to reward processing. Although the function of PVT in influencing reward-seeking is poorly understood, recent studies show that forebrain and hypothalamic inputs to, and nucleus accumbens (NAc) and amygdalar outputs from, PVT are strongly implicated in PVT responses to conditioned and appetitive or aversive stimuli that determine whether an animal will approach or avoid specific rewards. These studies, which have used an array of chemogenetic, optogenetic, and calcium imaging technologies, have shown that activity in PVT input and output circuits is highly heterogeneous, with mixed activity patterns that contribute to behavior in highly distinct manners. Thus, it is important to perform experiments in precisely defined cell types to elucidate how the PVT network contributes to reward-seeking behaviors. In this review, we describe the complex heterogeneity within PVT circuitry that appears to influence the decision to seek or avoid a reward and point out gaps in our understanding that should be investigated in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline F. McGinty
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, United States
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10
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Rossi MA, Basiri ML, McHenry JA, Kosyk O, Otis JM, van den Munkhof HE, Bryois J, Hübel C, Breen G, Guo W, Bulik CM, Sullivan PF, Stuber GD. Obesity remodels activity and transcriptional state of a lateral hypothalamic brake on feeding. Science 2020; 364:1271-1274. [PMID: 31249056 DOI: 10.1126/science.aax1184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2019] [Accepted: 05/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The current obesity epidemic is a major worldwide health concern. Despite the consensus that the brain regulates energy homeostasis, the neural adaptations governing obesity are unknown. Using a combination of high-throughput single-cell RNA sequencing and longitudinal in vivo two-photon calcium imaging, we surveyed functional alterations of the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA)-a highly conserved brain region that orchestrates feeding-in a mouse model of obesity. The transcriptional profile of LHA glutamatergic neurons was affected by obesity, exhibiting changes indicative of altered neuronal activity. Encoding properties of individual LHA glutamatergic neurons were then tracked throughout obesity, revealing greatly attenuated reward responses. These data demonstrate how diet disrupts the function of an endogenous feeding suppression system to promote overeating and obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark A Rossi
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Marcus L Basiri
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Jenna A McHenry
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Oksana Kosyk
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - James M Otis
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | | | - Julien Bryois
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Christopher Hübel
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Social, Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, UK.,UK National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre at South London and Maudsley Hospital, London, UK
| | - Gerome Breen
- Social, Genetic & Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, UK.,UK National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Centre at South London and Maudsley Hospital, London, UK
| | - Wilson Guo
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Cynthia M Bulik
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.,Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Patrick F Sullivan
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Garret D Stuber
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA. .,Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.,Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
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11
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Parker KE, Pedersen CE, Gomez AM, Spangler SM, Walicki MC, Feng SY, Stewart SL, Otis JM, Al-Hasani R, McCall JG, Sakers K, Bhatti DL, Copits BA, Gereau RW, Jhou T, Kash TJ, Dougherty JD, Stuber GD, Bruchas MR. A Paranigral VTA Nociceptin Circuit that Constrains Motivation for Reward. Cell 2019; 178:653-671.e19. [PMID: 31348890 PMCID: PMC7001890 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2019.06.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2018] [Revised: 08/16/2018] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Nociceptin and its receptor are widely distributed throughout the brain in regions associated with reward behavior, yet how and when they act is unknown. Here, we dissected the role of a nociceptin peptide circuit in reward seeking. We generated a prepronociceptin (Pnoc)-Cre mouse line that revealed a unique subpopulation of paranigral ventral tegmental area (pnVTA) neurons enriched in prepronociceptin. Fiber photometry recordings during progressive ratio operant behavior revealed pnVTAPnoc neurons become most active when mice stop seeking natural rewards. Selective pnVTAPnoc neuron ablation, inhibition, and conditional VTA nociceptin receptor (NOPR) deletion increased operant responding, revealing that the pnVTAPnoc nucleus and VTA NOPR signaling are necessary for regulating reward motivation. Additionally, optogenetic and chemogenetic activation of this pnVTAPnoc nucleus caused avoidance and decreased motivation for rewards. These findings provide insight into neuromodulatory circuits that regulate motivated behaviors through identification of a previously unknown neuropeptide-containing pnVTA nucleus that limits motivation for rewards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle E Parker
- Departments of Anesthesiology, Division of Basic Research, Anatomy and Neurobiology, and Washington University Pain Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Christian E Pedersen
- Departments of Anesthesiology, Division of Basic Research, Anatomy and Neurobiology, and Washington University Pain Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - Adrian M Gomez
- Departments of Anesthesiology, Division of Basic Research, Anatomy and Neurobiology, and Washington University Pain Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Skylar M Spangler
- Departments of Anesthesiology, Division of Basic Research, Anatomy and Neurobiology, and Washington University Pain Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Neuroscience Program (DBBS), Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Marie C Walicki
- Departments of Anesthesiology, Division of Basic Research, Anatomy and Neurobiology, and Washington University Pain Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Shelley Y Feng
- Departments of Anesthesiology, Division of Basic Research, Anatomy and Neurobiology, and Washington University Pain Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Sarah L Stewart
- Departments of Anesthesiology, Division of Basic Research, Anatomy and Neurobiology, and Washington University Pain Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - James M Otis
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Ream Al-Hasani
- Departments of Anesthesiology, Division of Basic Research, Anatomy and Neurobiology, and Washington University Pain Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences, St. Louis College of Pharmacy, St. Louis, MO, USA; Center for Clinical Pharmacology, St. Louis College of Pharmacy and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Jordan G McCall
- Departments of Anesthesiology, Division of Basic Research, Anatomy and Neurobiology, and Washington University Pain Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Department of Pharmaceutical and Administrative Sciences, St. Louis College of Pharmacy, St. Louis, MO, USA; Center for Clinical Pharmacology, St. Louis College of Pharmacy and Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Kristina Sakers
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Dionnet L Bhatti
- Departments of Anesthesiology, Division of Basic Research, Anatomy and Neurobiology, and Washington University Pain Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Bryan A Copits
- Departments of Anesthesiology, Division of Basic Research, Anatomy and Neurobiology, and Washington University Pain Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Robert W Gereau
- Departments of Anesthesiology, Division of Basic Research, Anatomy and Neurobiology, and Washington University Pain Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Thomas Jhou
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Thomas J Kash
- Department of Pharmacology and Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Joseph D Dougherty
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Garret D Stuber
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Michael R Bruchas
- Departments of Anesthesiology, Division of Basic Research, Anatomy and Neurobiology, and Washington University Pain Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA; Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.
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12
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Namboodiri VMK, Otis JM, van Heeswijk K, Voets ES, Alghorazi RA, Rodriguez-Romaguera J, Mihalas S, Stuber GD. Single-cell activity tracking reveals that orbitofrontal neurons acquire and maintain a long-term memory to guide behavioral adaptation. Nat Neurosci 2019; 22:1110-1121. [PMID: 31160741 PMCID: PMC7002110 DOI: 10.1038/s41593-019-0408-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Accepted: 04/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Learning to predict rewards based on environmental cues is essential for survival. The orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) contributes to such learning by conveying reward-related information to brain areas such as the ventral tegmental area (VTA). Despite this, how cue-reward memory representations form in individual OFC neurons and are modified based on new information is unknown. To address this, using in vivo two-photon calcium imaging in mice, we tracked the response evolution of thousands of OFC output neurons, including those projecting to VTA, through multiple days and stages of cue-reward learning. Collectively, we show that OFC contains several functional clusters of neurons distinctly encoding cue-reward memory representations, with only select responses routed downstream to VTA. Unexpectedly, these representations were stably maintained by the same neurons even after extinction of the cue-reward pairing, and supported behavioral learning and memory. Thus, OFC neuronal activity represents a long-term cue-reward associative memory to support behavioral adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijay Mohan K Namboodiri
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion, Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - James M Otis
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
| | - Kay van Heeswijk
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Arts-Klinisch Onderzoeker, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, the Netherlands
| | - Elisa S Voets
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Rizk A Alghorazi
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | | | | | - Garret D Stuber
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
- Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
- Neuroscience Curriculum, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
- Center for the Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion, Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
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13
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Otis JM, Zhu M, Namboodiri VMK, Cook CA, Kosyk O, Matan AM, Ying R, Hashikawa Y, Hashikawa K, Trujillo-Pisanty I, Guo J, Ung RL, Rodriguez-Romaguera J, Anton ES, Stuber GD. Paraventricular Thalamus Projection Neurons Integrate Cortical and Hypothalamic Signals for Cue-Reward Processing. Neuron 2019; 103:423-431.e4. [PMID: 31196673 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2019.05.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2018] [Revised: 04/16/2019] [Accepted: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The paraventricular thalamus (PVT) is an interface for brain reward circuits, with input signals arising from structures, such as prefrontal cortex and hypothalamus, that are broadcast to downstream limbic targets. However, the precise synaptic connectivity, activity, and function of PVT circuitry for reward processing are unclear. Here, using in vivo two-photon calcium imaging, we find that PVT neurons projecting to the nucleus accumbens (PVT-NAc) develop inhibitory responses to reward-predictive cues coding for both cue-reward associative information and behavior. The multiplexed activity in PVT-NAc neurons is directed by opposing activity patterns in prefrontal and lateral hypothalamic afferent axons. Further, we find that prefrontal cue encoding may maintain accurate cue-reward processing, as optogenetic disruption of this encoding induced long-lasting effects on downstream PVT-NAc cue responses and behavioral cue discrimination. Together, these data reveal that PVT-NAc neurons act as an interface for reward processing by integrating relevant inputs to accurately inform reward-seeking behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- James M Otis
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - ManHua Zhu
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Vijay M K Namboodiri
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Cory A Cook
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Oksana Kosyk
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Ana M Matan
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Rose Ying
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Yoshiko Hashikawa
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Koichi Hashikawa
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Ivan Trujillo-Pisanty
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Jiami Guo
- Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Randall L Ung
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Jose Rodriguez-Romaguera
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - E S Anton
- Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Garret D Stuber
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
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14
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Otis JM, Fitzgerald MK, Yousuf H, Burkard JL, Drake M, Mueller D. Prefrontal Neuronal Excitability Maintains Cocaine-Associated Memory During Retrieval. Front Behav Neurosci 2018; 12:119. [PMID: 29962941 PMCID: PMC6010542 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2018.00119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2018] [Accepted: 05/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Presentation of drug-associated cues provokes craving and drug seeking, and elimination of these associative memories would facilitate recovery from addiction. Emotionally salient memories are maintained during retrieval, as particular pharmacologic or optogenetic perturbations of memory circuits during retrieval, but not after, can induce long-lasting memory impairments. For example, in rats, inhibition of noradrenergic beta-receptors, which control intrinsic neuronal excitability, in the prelimbic medial prefrontal cortex (PL-mPFC) can cause long-term memory impairments that prevent subsequent cocaine-induced reinstatement. The physiologic mechanisms that allow noradrenergic signaling to maintain drug-associated memories during retrieval, however, are unclear. Here we combine patch-clamp electrophysiology ex vivo and behavioral neuropharmacology in vivo to evaluate the mechanisms that maintain drug-associated memory during retrieval in rats. Consistent with previous studies, we find that cocaine experience increases the intrinsic excitability of pyramidal neurons in PL-mPFC. In addition, we now find that this intrinsic plasticity positively predicts the retrieval of a cocaine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) memory, suggesting that such plasticity may contribute to drug-associated memory retrieval. In further support of this, we find that pharmacological blockade of a cAMP-dependent signaling cascade, which allows noradrenergic signaling to elevate neuronal excitability, is required for memory maintenance during retrieval. Thus, inhibition of PL-mPFC neuronal excitability during memory retrieval not only leads to long-term deficits in the memory, but this memory deficit provides protection against subsequent cocaine-induced reinstatement. These data reveal that PL-mPFC intrinsic neuronal excitability maintains a cocaine-associated memory during retrieval and suggest a unique mechanism whereby drug-associated memories could be targeted for elimination.
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Affiliation(s)
- James M Otis
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, United States.,Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Michael K Fitzgerald
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Hanna Yousuf
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Jake L Burkard
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Matthew Drake
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, United States
| | - Devin Mueller
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, United States.,Department of Basic Sciences, Ponce Health Sciences University-School of Medicine/Ponce Research Institute, Ponce, Puerto Rico
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15
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McHenry JA, Otis JM, Rossi MA, Robinson JE, Kosyk O, Miller NW, McElligott ZA, Budygin EA, Rubinow DR, Stuber GD. Corrigendum: Hormonal gain control of a medial preoptic area social reward circuit. Nat Neurosci 2017; 20:1427-1430. [PMID: 28949330 DOI: 10.1038/nn1017-1427c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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16
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Guo J, Otis JM, Higginbotham H, Monckton C, Cheng J, Asokan A, Mykytyn K, Caspary T, Stuber GD, Anton ES. Primary Cilia Signaling Shapes the Development of Interneuronal Connectivity. Dev Cell 2017; 42:286-300.e4. [PMID: 28787594 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2017.07.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2016] [Revised: 05/18/2017] [Accepted: 07/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Appropriate growth and synaptic integration of GABAergic inhibitory interneurons are essential for functional neural circuits in the brain. Here, we demonstrate that disruption of primary cilia function following the selective loss of ciliary GTPase Arl13b in interneurons impairs interneuronal morphology and synaptic connectivity, leading to altered excitatory/inhibitory activity balance. The altered morphology and connectivity of cilia mutant interneurons and the functional deficits are rescued by either chemogenetic activation of ciliary G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling or the selective induction of Sstr3, a ciliary GPCR, in Arl13b-deficient cilia. Our results thus define a specific requirement for primary cilia-mediated GPCR signaling in interneuronal connectivity and inhibitory circuit formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiami Guo
- UNC Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - James M Otis
- UNC Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Holden Higginbotham
- UNC Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Chase Monckton
- UNC Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - JrGang Cheng
- UNC Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Aravind Asokan
- Department of Genetics and Gene Therapy Center, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Kirk Mykytyn
- Department of Biological Chemistry and Pharmacology, Neuroscience Research Institute, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Tamara Caspary
- Department of Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA
| | - Garret D Stuber
- UNC Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - E S Anton
- UNC Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA; Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA.
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17
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Otis JM, Mueller D. Reversal of Cocaine-Associated Synaptic Plasticity in Medial Prefrontal Cortex Parallels Elimination of Memory Retrieval. Neuropsychopharmacology 2017; 42:2000-2010. [PMID: 28466871 PMCID: PMC5561348 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2017.90] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2016] [Revised: 04/26/2017] [Accepted: 04/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Addiction is characterized by abnormalities in prefrontal cortex that are thought to allow drug-associated cues to drive compulsive drug seeking and taking. Identification and reversal of these pathologic neuroadaptations are therefore critical for treatment of addiction. Previous studies using rodents reveal that drugs of abuse cause dendritic spine plasticity in prelimbic medial prefrontal cortex (PL-mPFC) pyramidal neurons, a phenomenon that correlates with the strength of drug-associated memories in vivo. Thus, we hypothesized that cocaine-evoked plasticity in PL-mPFC may underlie cocaine-associated memory retrieval, and therefore disruption of this plasticity would prevent retrieval. Indeed, using patch clamp electrophysiology we find that cocaine place conditioning increases excitatory presynaptic and postsynaptic transmission in rat PL-mPFC pyramidal neurons. This was accounted for by increases in excitatory presynaptic release, paired-pulse facilitation, and increased AMPA receptor transmission. Noradrenergic signaling is known to maintain glutamatergic plasticity upon reactivation of modified circuits, and we therefore next determined whether inhibition of noradrenergic signaling during memory reactivation would reverse the cocaine-evoked plasticity and/or disrupt the cocaine-associated memory. We find that administration of the β-adrenergic receptor antagonist propranolol before memory retrieval, but not after (during memory reconsolidation), reverses the cocaine-evoked presynaptic and postsynaptic modifications in PL-mPFC and causes long-lasting memory impairments. Taken together, these data reveal that cocaine-evoked synaptic plasticity in PL-mPFC is reversible in vivo, and suggest a novel strategy that would allow normalization of prefrontal circuitry in addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- James M Otis
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, USA,Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Devin Mueller
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, USA,Department of Basic Sciences, Neuroscience Division, Ponce Health Sciences University-School of Medicine, Ponce Research Institute, Ponce, Puerto Rico,Department of Basic Sciences, Neuroscience Division, Ponce Health Sciences University-School of Medicine, Ponce Research Institute, P.O. Box 7004, Ponce 00732-7004, Puerto Rico, Tel: +1 787 840 2575 Ext. 2588, Fax: +1 787 844 1980, E-mail:
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18
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Resendez SL, Jennings JH, Ung RL, Namboodiri VMK, Zhou ZC, Otis JM, Nomura H, McHenry JA, Kosyk O, Stuber GD. Visualization of cortical, subcortical and deep brain neural circuit dynamics during naturalistic mammalian behavior with head-mounted microscopes and chronically implanted lenses. Nat Protoc 2016; 11:566-97. [PMID: 26914316 PMCID: PMC5239057 DOI: 10.1038/nprot.2016.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 174] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Genetically encoded calcium indicators for visualizing dynamic cellular activity have greatly expanded our understanding of the brain. However, owing to the light-scattering properties of the brain, as well as the size and rigidity of traditional imaging technology, in vivo calcium imaging has been limited to superficial brain structures during head-fixed behavioral tasks. These limitations can now be circumvented by using miniature, integrated microscopes in conjunction with an implantable microendoscopic lens to guide light into and out of the brain, thus permitting optical access to deep brain (or superficial) neural ensembles during naturalistic behaviors. Here we describe steps to conduct such imaging studies using mice. However, we anticipate that the protocol can be easily adapted for use in other small vertebrates. Successful completion of this protocol will permit cellular imaging of neuronal activity and the generation of data sets with sufficient statistical power to correlate neural activity with stimulus presentation, physiological state and other aspects of complex behavioral tasks. This protocol takes 6-11 weeks to complete.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanna L. Resendez
- Departments of Psychiatry and Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
| | | | - Randall L. Ung
- Departments of Psychiatry and Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Vijay Mohan K. Namboodiri
- Departments of Psychiatry and Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Zhe Charles Zhou
- Departments of Psychiatry and Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - James M. Otis
- Departments of Psychiatry and Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Hiroshi Nomura
- Departments of Psychiatry and Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Jenna A. McHenry
- Departments of Psychiatry and Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Oksana Kosyk
- Departments of Psychiatry and Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
| | - Garret D. Stuber
- Departments of Psychiatry and Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
- Curriculum in Neurobiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
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19
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Otis JM, Fitzgerald MK, Mueller D. Inhibition of hippocampal β-adrenergic receptors impairs retrieval but not reconsolidation of cocaine-associated memory and prevents subsequent reinstatement. Neuropsychopharmacology 2014; 39:303-10. [PMID: 23907403 PMCID: PMC3870790 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2013.187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2013] [Revised: 07/26/2013] [Accepted: 07/31/2013] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Retrieval of drug-associated memories is critical for maintaining addictive behaviors, as presentation of drug-associated cues can elicit drug seeking and relapse. Recently, we and others have demonstrated that β-adrenergic receptor (β-AR) activation is necessary for retrieval using both rat and human memory models. Importantly, blocking retrieval with β-AR antagonists persistently impairs retrieval and provides protection against subsequent reinstatement. However, the neural locus at which β-ARs are required for maintaining retrieval and subsequent reinstatement is unclear. Here, we investigated the necessity of dorsal hippocampus (dHipp) β-ARs for drug-associated memory retrieval. Using a cocaine conditioned place preference (CPP) model, we demonstrate that local dHipp β-AR blockade before a CPP test prevents CPP expression shortly and long after treatment, indicating that dHipp β-AR blockade induces a memory retrieval disruption. Furthermore, this retrieval disruption provides long-lasting protection against cocaine-induced reinstatement. The effects of β-AR blockade were dependent on memory reactivation and were not attributable to reconsolidation disruption as blockade of β-ARs immediately after a CPP test had little effect on subsequent CPP expression. Thus, cocaine-associated memory retrieval is mediated by β-AR activity within the dHipp, and disruption of this activity could prevent cue-induced drug seeking and relapse long after treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- James M Otis
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | | | - Devin Mueller
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, USA
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20
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Otis JM, Mueller D. Inhibition of β-adrenergic receptors induces a persistent deficit in retrieval of a cocaine-associated memory providing protection against reinstatement. Neuropsychopharmacology 2011; 36:1912-20. [PMID: 21544069 PMCID: PMC3154110 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2011.77] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Drug-seeking behavior is maintained by encounters with drug-associated cues. Preventing retrieval of drug-associated memories that these cues provoke would therefore limit relapse susceptibility; however, little is known regarding the mechanisms of retrieval. Here, we show that β-adrenergic receptor activation is necessary for the retrieval of a cocaine-associated memory. Using a conditioned place preference (CPP) procedure, rats were conditioned to associate one chamber, but not another, with cocaine. When administered before a CPP trial, propranolol, but not saline, prevented retrieval of a cocaine-associated CPP. In subsequent drug-free trials, rats previously treated with propranolol continued to show a retrieval deficit, as no CPP was evident. This retrieval deficit was long lasting and robust, as the CPP did not re-emerge during a test for spontaneous recovery 14 days later or reinstate following a priming injection of cocaine. Moreover, the peripheral β-adrenergic receptor antagonist sotalol did not affect retrieval. Thus, retrieval of cocaine-associated memories is mediated by norepinephrine acting at central β-adrenergic receptors. Our findings support the use of propranolol, a commonly prescribed β-blocker, as an adjunct to exposure therapy for the treatment of addiction by preventing retrieval of drug-associated memories during and long after treatment, and by providing protection against relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- James M Otis
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Devin Mueller
- Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, WI, USA,Department of Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Box 413, Milwaukee, WI 53201-0413, USA, Tel: +1 414 229 6113, Fax: +1 414 229 5219, E-mail:
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